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US$30 Million Fund To Help Asean Filmmakers

KUCHING – Some financiers have made available fund amounting to US$30 million to help ASEAN filmakers, according to Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Seri Salleh Said Keruak.

He said these financiers were from the AIFFA (ASEAN International Film Festival and Awards) 2017 Biz World.

The minister said this was a far cry from the old days when so many promising filmmakers had to go from one bank to another to seek funds.

“This process alone can kill their creative spirit or make the writers and directors compromise to the extent that they could no longer recognise their work.

“As such, I’m indeed delighted that such a facility (fund) is available today at the AIFFA 2017 which coincides with the 50th anniversary of ASEAN.

“It reflects maturity in our regional growth where the creative aspects of life have come to be as important as socioeconomic development,” he said when officiating the AIFFA 2017 Biz World here today.

On the AIFFA Biz World, Salleh said it was essentially a gathering of film minds in collaboration with various film business activities.

“There are talks, networking and collaboration, sharing of experiences during production and exhibitions. Most importantly, for the first time now, there are financiers available,” he said.

Salleh also expressed hope that Malaysians and filmmakers from ASEAN countries would make use AIFFA Biz World effectively.

“There must be a steady stream of high quality content which will feed the appetite of 600 million consumers from the 10 ASEAN member countries.

“…and with the reach of social media, quality content will go beyond our ASEAN borders to reach the world and billions of other people,” he said.

The minister also witnessed the signing of two memorandums of understanding, with the first between the state Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture and film producer, the Guangdong, Juno Film and Television Company Limited , China for a movie to be shot partially here; and the second between the Southeast Asian Audio Visual Association (SAAVA) and AIFFA for the filmmaking financing. – BERNAMA